Clues still sought in Monday drive-by shooting

OCALA –Ocala Police Detectives said Wednesday that there was a connection between the drive-by shootings of two men earlier this week. One man remains hospitalized, the other has died.

Detectives said that the hospitalized man, whom they are not naming because they want to protect his identity and the integrity of the case, was struck when a barrage of gunshots rang out Monday night. Those shots also struck Jordan Davis, 25, who died on Tuesday.

Officials said the injured man is in critical but stable condition. They would not reveal any details about his injuries, or those sustained by Davis. They still do not know if either man was an intended target. Detectives said there is no evidence to suggest that either man returned fire.

Officers said Davis was standing in a yard in the 800 block of Northwest 15th Avenue on Monday evening when a vehicle drove by slowly and someone inside opened fire. Davis ran from the scene and then collapsed a little more than a block away in the middle of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, a highly traveled road. They did not release details as to the position of the man who remains hospitalized.

The 911 call about the shooting came in at 7:42 p.m. Monday.

A family member said Davis was often at the home where he was shot. He died at 4:42 a.m. Tuesday at Ocala Regional Medical Center.

Detectives said two vehicles parked in the yard were hit by bullets and that they have processed the cars and the scene for evidence. The home across the street also was struck with bullets, one of which went through a window in a child's room. The child was not home at the time.

In recent weeks, a 17-year-old was killed during a drive-by shooting in which his 13-year-old female cousin was injured. Last week, a 70-year-old woman was found deceased in the yard of her home.

Officials said that, at this point, there is no proof that any of the cases are related, but that all of the investigations remain open.

Davis’ family has called for an end to the "senseless gun violence."

Anyone with information can call Detective Mat Steckman of the Ocala Police Department at 369-7147. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP. Tipsters also can send a text to 274637, using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.